Chapter 876
Within a blink of an eye, Amelia had been abroad for seven months, and she would be able to return
after another two or three months. During her time abroad, not only did many changes ur in her
home country, but a lot had been going on around her too.
Amelia never thought Teddy was serious about his words upon witnessing how he tried to court Tiffany.
“Tiff, I learned that 1111 is a rather symbolic number for love, so I transferred 1111 dors to you. Kindly
check and acknowledge receipt.” Teddy waved his phone at her. He used the trick he learned from his
fellow Chanaean colleague on Tiffany.
Annoyed by Teddy''s antics, Tiffany noticed her lips twitching.
“Mr. Rice, while I appreciate your effort, I do not appreciate your fancy moves. Besides, I already have
a lover back in my home country. I believe you''re a virtuous man. It''s a bit of an exaggeration, but in my
country, people generally believe that rtionships are sacred and to be preserved at all costs, so
please stop with your antics. I do not wish to damage your rtionship with Amelia as her mentor.”
Teddy looked at her in all earnest as he said, “Tiff, I''ve done a thorough investigation. While you were
married, you filed for divorce some time ago. You''re now a single woman, so I can''t possibly be
interfering with your marriage. I think I''m a rather good choice as a man, so why won''t you give me a
chance? I swear I will treat you well.”
Although Tiffany wished she could beat the crap out of him, he was a mentor whom Amelia respected,
so she could only check her ring temper.
“I''m leaving. Take your time hanging around, but I won''t be keeping youpany.” With that, Tiffany
left in frustration. She had had enough of Teddy''s pestering that she even considered going back to
Chanaea.
After all, she only came abroad to forget about Derrick, not find herself a foreign lover.
Teddy threw Amelia a pleading nce, but she shrugged at him, indicating that she was out of wits.
“Teddy, I think you should give up. Tiff still has a hard time forgetting her ex-husband. They only
separated due to a minor misunderstanding and might get back together after they have things figured
out. You know we Chanaeans typically like the idea of repairing rtionships, so you shouldn''t waste
any more time on Tiff,” Amelia advised.
On one end of the scale was her best friend, while on the other was her mentor, whose assistance led
to her making major improvements in her design skills, so she would do everything in her power to
smooth things over between them.
“You''ll help me, right, Amelia?” Teddy sounded rather certain. After scanning his surroundings, he
somehow decided that Amelia could be of help to him.
Yet, Amelia declined him, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
She was direct with him. “While I''ll dly help you on various matters, this is way out of my league. You
can still go ahead to court her, but you''re going to have to figure this out on your own. You can do it. I
have faith in you but don''t make a blunder. Otherwise, even I won''t be able to help you.”
Teddy pouted childishly as he felt like a deted balloon, and Amelia felt a little guilty when she noticed
that.
Upon gesturing to him that she would be leaving, she set off quickly—she was literally fleeing from the
scene.
She saw Tiffany biting on an apple in chagrin when she arrived at her dwelling. Walking up to Tiffany,
she took away the apple thetter was munching on before inquiring, “Do you have no feelings for
Teddy?”
“He is, admittedly, an attractive man. Not only is he handsome, but he also has an air of nobility about
him. Any woman would go insane for him,” Tiffany stated with her legs crossed.
“It''s just that you''re not among those women, right?” Despite it being a question, Amelia sounded quite
convinced as she carried on with Tiffany''s statement.
Tiffany blinked innocently. There was not a denial but silent acquiescence.
Amelia sat down beside her. After some thought, she said, “Tiff, you followed me abroad not only
because you were worried about both Tony and me, but you were also actively trying to forget Derrick.
We both know the best way to forget about a failed marriage is to start a new rtionship. I
acknowledge that I''m being a little unfair here by telling you this now, but all bridges between Derrick
and you were burned. Why not try epting Teddy? He''s handsome, knowledgeable, humorous, and
most importantly, he''s decent. I''ve known him for seven months, and I trust his character. His friends
and colleagues also hold him in high regard. I think you can give him a go and have a rtionship with
him. Besides, you can always split up if it doesn''t work out. It''s not like you must marry him. Let''s just
go with the flow. You''ll eventually enter a marriage if you both feel equally attracted to each other.”
Tiffany drew her legs close to her before burying her face in them as if she could ignore every
unwee advice by doing that.
Seeing that, Amelia sighed and caressed Tiffany''s head.
Just when she stood up to cut up some fruits in the kitchen, Tiffany muttered with her face still buried in
her thighs, “Babe, do you think I''m useless for not being able to forget that guy even now?”
“Why would I? Although I gave you advice as a third party, I''m actually in a simr situation. You can''t
forget about Derrick, and I can''t forget about Oscar. It''s because I have experienced such pain that I do
not wish for you to go through the same,” Amelia exined after heaving a sigh in dejection.
It was because Amelia had experienced the pain of having to separate from someone who she loved
deeply that she really wished that Tiffany could ept Teddy and leave her failed marriage in the past
after witnessing her dear friend feigning joy in the presence of others while still stuck in the pain even
after she was divorced.
Tiffany raised her head and nced at Amelia.
“Babe, would you think I''m a fool if I told you I find it really hard to not think of that rtionship?” she
asked. It wasn''t that she refused to start a new rtionship, but she refused to let strangerse into
her life deep down, thinking of them as intruders. She might be able to lie to others about having
forgotten about Derrick, but she couldn''t lie to herself. She still loved him and had a hard time moving
on even though he had cheated on her and impregnated another woman.
Amelia approached her to caress her head with a smile. “It''s all up to you. If you''re a fool, so am I. We
can do as we please as long as we don''t damage someone else''s marriage.”
Tiffany chuckled.
Amelia left to prepare some fruits in the kitchen before serving them on the table. Then, they ate them
together.
After finishing them, Tiffany scuttled into her room to retrieve herptop.
“Babe, I wrote a new novel set in apany located in a cosmopolitan. Read it and see if there is
anything to be added or changed. I''ll send it to the publishingpany after that.” Tiffany opened the
document on herptop and showed Amelia her novel.
Perhaps she was able to focus on writing novels because of her destitute love life. She had only been
abroad for seven months, but she was bursting with so much inspiration that she was able toplete
two novels with over one million words each. The first novel was sold-out as soon as it was published
three months ago, and it was reprinted three more times. General feedback from readers indicated that
it was gut-wrenching and tear-jerking. It was even spected that Tiffany was able to chisel out the
details with finesse due to her own suffering.
Among the overwhelmingly positive feedback,ments left by her hardcore fans were amusing.
Don''t cry! Together we shall dump that awful guy! We''ll face him head-on!
Don''t cry. You still have ourpany. Here you go, a blow kiss!
Your novel is so gut-wrenching but also fascinating. I''ve read it at least ten times and used up all the
tissues in my house. My mother even asked if I was constipated. You have to console me after being
misunderstood by my mother.
Amelia had had the good fortune to read thosements. She thought that fans from Chanaea were
adorable for writing those funnyments.
She missed her home country while staying abroad, so thosements written in her mother tongue
seemed extra amiable to her. Even those that mentioned how gut-wrenching the story was seemed
cute.
Then, Amelia started reading Tiffany''s new novel and was sucked into it. Three hours went by without
her noticing. It wasn''t until she rubbed her tired eyes halfway through the story that she realized she
had cried.
Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
When Tiffany noticed her red eyes while bringing them two mugs of tea from the kitchen, she asked in
concern, “What happened?”
Shaking her head, Amelia took the tea from her. “It''s nothing. I just found myself resonating with the
story you wrote and felt like crying halfway through it. I bet all your readers are going to bawl their eyes
out after this one is published, and that people are going to throw rotten eggs at you if you hold an
autograph session back in Chanaea. This story is so gut-wrenching that even I felt like crying. It''s also
drastically different from your previous works. No wonder they thought you were hurt in a bad
rtionship.”
Tiffany sat down beside her. While holding her mug with both hands, she could feel the heat seep into
her through her skin. “I''m not sure why, but I just have this urge to write some sad stories. Perhaps the
reason they cried was that it triggered some of their past experiences. I''m sure most girls have gone
through what I''ve been through, and my story just made them relive those experiences, and that was
why they want to murder me, so to speak.”
Amelia was amused by her description.
“I don''t think there''re any problems with your novel. In fact, your writing skills have improvedpared
to yourst work. Given the gut-wrenching plot, I suppose it would be nice to adapt it into a film. Are
you sure you won''t join a crew as the writer? I recall that the director you had worked with, Mr.
Zabriskie, has contacted you.”
Tiffany shook her head. “I''m not interested in doing that now. I''ll think about itter. All I want to do now
is focus on my writing.”
Amelia shrugged and stopped trying to convince her. In fact, she figured it would be better for Tiffany to
focus on writing her novel, for she wouldn''t have time to dwell on her heartbreaking experience when
she was busy.
Thus, she was relieved when Tiffany was busy doing something constructive.
Tiffany''s novel made great sales right after it was published in Chanaea. It sold a million copies within a
short period of two months. A lot of productionpanies contacted her to invite her to join their
production crew as a writer to adapt her own novel into a film. After careful consideration, she agreed
to the offer.
Meanwhile, Amelia was ready to return to Chanaea after having spent nine months abroad. She asked
Teddy, “You told me I''ve made rapid improvements in terms of my designing skills. I suppose I''m ready
to graduate now. What do you think?”
“Are you serious? What should I do? I''m already missing you, Tiff, and her superb cooking,” Teddy
didn''t even stutter.
Amelia studied him in amusement. “Teddy, I have a question. You''ve been courting Tiff for a few
months. Do you like her, or her cooking?”
“Amelia, don''t you think I can absolutely afford to hire a Chanaean cook to make Chanaean dishes for
me, given my wealth?”
Startled, Amelia realized she had asked a silly question.
“I''m sorry for asking such a silly question, Teddy. However, there''s only a one percent chance that you
will get together with Tiff. It seems like you still have a long way to go.”
“If there''s a will, there''s a way. I believe I am the most suitable man for her.”
Hmm... It is always good to have self-confidence.
Amelia didn''t try to dissuade him.
Afterpleting all necessary credits, Amelia graduated and was assigned by the higher-ups as the
As Corporation''s brand ambassador and director of design in its Chanaean branch. Amelia epted
the offer. During the banquet, she toasted Teddy and the higher-ups to express her gratitude for their
appreciation.
After toasting everybody, Amelia was a little tipsy even though she could hold her liquor quite well. She
shook her head and forced herself to maintain a clear head while dealing with some people as she
followed Teddy around. She used to hate socializing, but she forced herself to do that and had learned
to deal with all sorts of people.
The banquet didn''t end until eleven o''clock that night. Both Amelia and Teddy left the venue after
bidding the others goodbye.
Everybody scattered off down the stairs in search of their car after getting outside. Amelia noticed Kurt
waiting beside the car and waved at him happily. Kurt smiled at her too, but his expression changed
drastically by the next instant before he began sprinting in her direction.
“Watch out, Amelia!” he yelled in panic.
Amelia wasn''t sure why he was panicking. It wasn''t until he pushed her down to the ground and she
heard gunshots that she came to know what happened.
Kurt rolled on the ground with her in his arms until they got behind a potted nt. He checked on her
frantically while holding her. “Are you OK, Amelia?”
Amelia raised her head, still very much in fear, and the bloodstain on Kurt''s chest area caught her off
guard.
“Kurt, a-are you hurt?” She tried to touch his chest with trembling hands, only to retract her arm in a
hurry as if worried about causing him pain. “I''ll take you to the hospital. Your chest is injured. Come,
let''s go now.”
Kurt held her down while shaking his head.
“Someone fired a shot. Hide here while I go check things out.” Kurt hid her before poking his head out
despite his injury, but Amelia pulled him back by the next instant.
“Don''t go out, Kurt. You''re already injured. I can''t have you risk your life,” she demanded. “I just wonder
how Teddy is.” She had no enemies abroad. With Kurt injured, she was certain that the gunfight was
aimed at herpanion, Teddy.
“Don''t worry. I saw him get up and ran in the other direction when I pushed you down and rolled over.
Besides, his bodyguards will ensure his safety,” Kurt exined.
Amelia heaved a sigh of relief.
The gunfight ceased after half an hour.
Amelia helped Kurt, who had obviously lost quite a lot of blood, get to his feet while watching him with
concern.
Teddy came to them under the protection of his bodyguards. When he noticed that Kurt was injured, he
ordered, “Help Mr. Alfsen to the hospital.”
The two bodyguards tried helping Kurt to the car, but he was rooted to the spot and gazing at Amelia
uneasily.
Teddy was slightly touched, for he could tell at first nce that Kurt was worried about Amelia. He also
surmised that Kurt and Amelia''s rtionship wasn''t strictly that of a client and employee. After all,
Kurt''s gaze was filled with much affection.
“You can rest assured that I will protect her,” Teddy promised.
Kurt curled his lips into a smile before closing his eyes and fainted.
The two bodyguards rushed him to a nearby hospital as quickly as possible, while Teddy ended up
driving Amelia there.
“Amelia, he loves you very much,” Teddy said while looking at Amelia from the rearview mirror.
Amelia wiped her face, then gave him a rueful smile.
The fact that Kurt protected her with his life on the line gave her mixed feelings, which was the reason
she chose to not go to the hospital with him. She needed some time to calm down.
Kurt was so nice to her that she could no longer take it. She feared she would never be able to repay
his intense love.
“Be at ease, Amelia. He might''ve lost a lot of blood, but his vital organs are fine. He shouldn''t be in any
critical danger.” Teddy changed the topic.
Amelia nced at Teddy, her eyes bearing a fleeting look of weakness.
“Teddy, he has been so nice to me, and yet I can''t possibly repay him for all that he has done. What
should I do?” she questioned in confusion.
“You shouldn''t think too much about it. Since he loves you so much, he must''ve done it willingly. I would
do the same if the woman I love is in danger.”
Amelia covered her face with both hands.
“Teddy, why was there a gunfight?”
“The perpetrators are after us. I''m sorry to have gotten Mr. Alfsen and you into this mess. I will make a
thorough investigation to ensure justice is served,” Teddy guaranteed with a solemn expression.
Amelia merely responded with a helpless nod, not wishing to delve further into the topic.
By the time they arrived at the hospital, Kurt was already in the operating room. She felt awful while
staring at the light that indicated the operating room was still upied.
She figured she was cursed, for all her rtives and friends were admitted to the hospital due to
various kinds of diseases or injuries. Right at that moment, Kurt was in the operating room, clinging to
life.
Tiffany hurried to the hospital nervously with Tony still sleeping in her arms.
“Babe, how is Kurt?”
Amelia shook her head.
She had no idea if his situation was critical. The gunfight had gone on for half an hour, and Kurt was
bleeding the entire time. All the blood stained his white shirt a striking and horrifying crimson color. It
was likely that terrible sight would be etched into her memory for life.
Tiffany put Tony into Amelia''s arms before consoling Amelia by gently pressing thetter''s head against
her chest.
“It''s OK. Kurt is a lucky guy and will be fine. Don''t you worry. He''ll be OK.”
Amelia leaned against her, her thoughts muddled up.
“I won''t be able to forgive myself if anything happened to Kurt, Tiff,” she whispered.
“Attagirl. Don''t overthink things. I''m with you, and he''ll definitely pull through. He wishes to protect you
and Tony, so he couldn''t possibly be defeated so easily.” Tiffany continued to offer calm words of
support. She didn''t ask why Kurt was shot. She figured she would have ample time for that after he
woke up.
It was apparent that Amelia was on the verge of having a breakdown.
The three of them waited for a whole eight hours before the signal light outside the operating room was
turned off, and a dozen doctors filed out from within the room.
Amelia hurried over to them with Tony in her arms.
“Doctor, is my friend all right? He''s fine, is he?” she inquired.
“Don''t worry. He''s not in critical danger. He just needs some rest after having lost a lot of blood.” The
doctors only left with fatigued looks on their faces after informing her of things that she would have to
be cautious about.
Amelia almost copsed to the floor as her legs gave way. Fortunately, Tiffany reacted swiftly and
caught her in time.
Turning to Tiffany with a feeble smile, Amelia muttered, “He''s no longer in critical condition. That''s great
news.” After that, she fainted as well. Tony, who had been in her arms, would''ve fallen onto the floor too
if it weren''t for Teddy taking the boy into his arms in the nick of time.
Tiffany called for the doctor while still holding onto Amelia. The doctor exined that Amelia fainted
due to overwhelming shock after giving thetter a checkup in a ward.
It wasn''t until hearing the diagnosis that Tiffany heaved a sigh of relief.
We always get into trouble! I assumed that I would finally have some peace after fleeing abroad, but life
is still a mess.
“Get some rest, Tiff. I''ll take over from here,” Teddy offered in concern.
Tiffany shook her head after ncing at him.
“You should go home and get some rest, Mr. Rice. I''ll watch over them. Sorry to have troubled you
tonight. Since they''re both fine, I should be able to handle things alone.”
Teddy gave her a thoughtful look.
“Tiff, it''s fine for women to asionally show their vulnerable side. Although I do like independent
women, I heard that women from Chanaea like to be pampered, so I don''t mind if you do that with me.”
Startled, Tiffany let out a chuckle.
All of a sudden, she found Teddy to be less annoying than before. It''s just as Amelia said. He''s got a
good sense of humor.